| Camping is considered as one of the oldest hobbies | | | | more simple and easy to use. |
| of Americans. It started in the 1800s when people | | | | Despite of these changes, one thing remained |
| had makeshift homes in the forests and live with | | | | constant. The main reason why people camp |
| nature. Back then it was their way of living, but | | | | outdoors still haven't changed over the years. People |
| today, we do it as a recreational activity. | | | | have the need to be one with nature, to go back to |
| It is already a given that camping techniques, as well | | | | the basics and try to survive with nature's elements |
| as tools and equipment have changed over the span | | | | and to experience closer human companionship with |
| of centuries. As we become more dependent on | | | | family members or friends. |
| technology, more efficient equipment are used in | | | | But what has changed about this is the way people |
| camping. | | | | do it. |
| The pioneers of camping are the Native American | | | | Now, we rely on equipment that can be very useful |
| Indians who also introduced the art of 'woodcraft' | | | | and ease the trouble of camping. We rely on modern |
| which are skills needed to survive in the wild. These | | | | day technology to do this. We have inflatable |
| woodcraft skills include building shelter and how to | | | | mattresses, sleeping bags and tents which can |
| catch fish among other things. It is basically a survival | | | | endure any season or weather condition. Having a |
| course. | | | | stovetop spares us the trouble in building a fire from |
| The most drastic change when it comes to modern | | | | scratch to keep us warm and cook dinner. |
| day techniques is concerned with the equipment | | | | If we compare this to the old times, people relied so |
| being used in camping. The Native Americans started | | | | much on their knowledge and personal skills to |
| out with homemade camping equipment, and possibly | | | | survive in the wild because there is a lack of available |
| created and designed their own tools to help them | | | | equipment to do it for them. Perhaps the most |
| survive in the wild. Compared to this, the modern day | | | | important contribution that modern backpackers |
| backpacker has a wide array of equipment to choose | | | | imparted to other campers is the 'Leave No Trace' |
| from the local sporting goods store. Modern | | | | policy. People now are more aware of the |
| equipment is usually complex and highly specialized. | | | | importance of nature and are doing something to |
| If we compare the camping equipment used from | | | | counter the damage brought about by previous and |
| the old to the new, there are two key differences. | | | | present generations. |
| One, the material used in making the equipment. Back | | | | The 'Leave No Trace' policy states that you should |
| then materials used are leather, cotton and silk. Now, | | | | clean up after yourself whenever you're out there |
| camping equipment uses synthetic fibers such as | | | | camping. Bring garbage bags and never leave trash |
| nylon and polyester. Second, there is a difference in | | | | and leftover food lying around. Basically, when you |
| the design. Now, we have complex designs for our | | | | leave a camp site it should be the same as you first |
| camping equipment, which can probably have more | | | | stepped foot on it. |
| than ten features. While back then, the design was | | | | |